What We Believe About Man

MAN

God made man – male and female – in His own image. Tempted by Satan, man rebelled against God. This rebellion brought sin into the world; as a result, all humans are born sinful. Sin affects every part of a person: soul, mind, emotions, and body. Without the drawing and conviction of the Holy Spirit, a person will remain in his or her sinfulness. Salvation is only possible when a person, by the conviction of the Spirit, repents of sin, believes the Gospel, and confesses Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

(Genesis 3:1-19, 6:5; Romans 3:9-18, 5:12-14)

MAN’S RESPONSE TO THE GOSPEL

God’s salvation, by way of Jesus Christ, is only effectual to those who genuinely repent of their sins and by God’s grace, put saving faith in Christ. Repentance is turning from sinful self-government, and faith is turning to Jesus Christ, surrendering to His Lordship. While neither repentance or faith save, they are God’s commanded conditions and response for men to be saved.  Biblical repentance is characterized by a changed life, and saving faith is evidenced by a growth in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, a love for God, and the assurance of salvation by the witness of the Holy Spirit.

(Mark 1:14-15; John 3:18-21; Acts 17:30-31, 26:19-20)

SANCTIFICATION

The Holy Spirit abides in every true believer in Christ to mold them into the image of Christ. The sanctification process takes place by the Spirit’s leading and the believer’s obedience. As we are taught and led by the Spirit, we grow in the knowledge of the Lord, obeying His commandments and endeavoring to be salt and light in the world that all people may see His work in us and glorify our Father who is in Heaven. By the promise of the Holy Spirit and His work in every believer, we know that we are eternally secure, for the Lord will sustain and finish His work in us.

(I Thessalonians 4:1-8, 5:23-24; Romans 8:29; Philippians 1:6; Titus 2:11-15)

EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit empowers believers for Christian witness and service. The Spirit’s power is freely available to all who believe in Jesus Christ, thereby enabling them to be used effectively for the kingdom of God in ministry and mission. The Holy Spirit desires to continually control and fill each believer with His power to be a witness for Christ, and He imparts His supernatural gifts for the edification of the Body and the work of ministry throughout the world.

(Acts 1:8; Luke 24:48; I Corinthians 2:1-5; II Timothy 1:6-7; Ephesians 5:18)

THE CHURCH

God, by His Word and Spirit, creates the Church, calling sinful men out of the whole human race into the fellowship of Christ’s Body. By the same Word and Spirit, He guides and preserves that new redeemed humanity. The Church is not a religious institution or denomination but rather made up of those who have become genuine followers of Jesus Christ and have personally appropriated the Gospel. The Church exists to worship and glorify God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit and to serve Him by faithfully doing His will in the earth. All members of the Church universal are to be vitally connected and committed to a local church. In this context, they are to live in this present world as the people of God, demonstrating the reality of the kingdom of God, manifesting the purity of the life of God, and living solely for the glory of God . Believers are to use the gifts the Holy Spirit has given in order to build up the church and preach the Gospel, ministering and making disciples throughout the world.

(Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; Acts 2:42-47; I Peter 2:9-10; Matthew 28:18-20)